Ox --->Tiger --->Rabbit --->Dragon --->Snake --->Horse Campaign Session #224

 

House of Lament

 

 

Session 224- A Return to Barovia Part 74; Borca 1

6/7/2026

• Fecus finds an under-the-seat trinket.  A tiny spool of black thread 

  that never runs out.

• Tim finds an under-the-seat trinket.  A bottle of invisible ink that can 

  only be read at sunset. 

• Nola ushers Team Rams past the Concession Stand and into the 

  Theater Gift Shop where Rennas sells Tim Lady Fern Plush Dragon  

  Grants Magic Aura once per day. And Fecus Lady Fern Plush 

  Dragon Grants Spider Climb once per day.  Tim buys 10 tins of 

  Darcalus Rex Mints.

• Rennas stamps the programs of everyone but Elise.  He leads them 

  into the Portal Room.  The portal is seemingly an Ivy Arbor filled with 

  mist.

• They walk through the Portal and arrive on a bald hilltop that has a 

  grim black tower and 3 story manor house standing upon it.  It is 

  weather beaten and covered with ivy.  The front door stands open 

  with a light flickering inside as 2 men move equipment in from the 

  porch like they just arrived as well.  Dmitri calls out and identifies 

  himself as the team approach.  He welcomes them and introduces 

  them to his older brother Aurek.

• Aurek tells Team Rams he needs their help with holding a Seance 

  with the Spirit Board.  He explains he is searching for magic to 

  release his wife from her statuette.  Tim provides a Planchette that 

  he found in his hand after the Portal transit.

• Aurek offers payment for exploration of the House of Lament and 

  Seance participation. 200 GP/Day per party member for exploration.  

  100 GP/Seance per party member for participation.

• Seance 1 Theodora introduces herself.  Her message is Seek the 

  Witch Stone = planchette moves to candle image.

• Afterwards they leave Aurek alone in the parlor while they explore.

• Gugula begins experiencing haunting visions in the ballroom and 

  conservatory.  In the ballroom, she joins the side of Lady Silvra.

• In the conservatory, the old implements and pots fly around the room, 

  but don’t hurt anyone.

• They find a doll in the dining room.

• The session ends with the party in the kitchen.  Fecus found a vial of 

  poison in the pantry.

Sagittarius Full Moon Is Over, Now What?

Feed Cat, Carry Wood, Then Roll Dice

 

 

 

 "Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water." 

-Zen Proverb

 

"Before DMing, chop wood, carry water.  After DMing, chop wood, carry water."

-DM Bast Proverb

 

The Zen version reached my awareness when I was just a shaver... now as a more grizzled version of myself I have adapted it.  So what am I trying to express to you today?  Everyday life happens before and after the game, and it is even happening while the game is being played by you.  And sometimes it intrudes on the magical and liminal space you created within the ritual of the weekly game.  

 

So one of us in the group celebrated a birthday (Happy Belated B-day to you, player of the Mighty Tim!), one of us got sick (me), and now that I am physically recovered I get to go back to handling the wood (get your mind out of wherever it is, lol;).  I'm not the chopper, but I do cart it around and stack it to great effect! 

 

The main campaign should resume this Sunday, barring any unforeseen circumstances.  I think the party's intention was to travel to Borca to locate a Vorpal Sword. 

 

Summer this year might have fewer sessions of the main campaign on deck.  The time for real life adventures is bubbling up.  Thank you for your continued readership.

 

Have you caught up on my Substack, yet?  It is where I post the actual play reports for my solo game(s) and the Year of the Goat Campaign.